Music-leaf turner.



PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

W. A. MERGER.

MUSIC LEAF TURNER.

APPI IUATION FILED AUG. 8, 1902.

10 MODEL Snwntot Tu: uunms vs'rsns co PMOYO-LIIHO. WASHWGTON, n. c.

I UNITED STATES Patented June 23, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

MUSIC-LEAF TU RN ER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 731,589, dated June 23, 1903.

Application filed August 8,1902I To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, WILLIAM AARON MER- OER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Walnut, in the county of Bureau and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Music-Leaf Turners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. V

This invention relates to music-leaf holders; and it consists in a novel and improved arrangement and construction of the spring frames or holders which hold and turn the leaves and of the escapement for releasing the same successively.

In the accompanying drawings, in which theinvention is illustrated, Figure l is a plan view thereof. Fig. 2 is a side view of the escapement parts, including a pedal-release.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 6 indicates a folding cover or back, the parts of which are joined by hinges 6*" and are foldable forwardly to embrace the holders and any music-sheets that may be therein. This cover forms a support for the various parts of the turner. It is intended that in the use of the device the covershall be placed on the music-board of an instrument or on a musicstand and the sheet-music or book on the cover with its leaves in the holders.

There may be as many individual leaf-holders as desired, and each one is preferably formed of wire, bent to form upper andlower arms 7 and 7, respectively. These arms are connected by cross-wires 7, the ends of which are hooked into loops 7, formed in the arm. The arms are further continued and bent to form a loop 7 which extends inwardly across the cross-wires 7 The holders are as large as an ordinary music-leaf, and the leaf (indicated at 12) is inserted between the crosswires 7 and the loop 7 so that it is held positively on both sides and prevented from turning until desired. The lower arms 7? are coiled to form springs 7 which are secured to the cover by screws 7 and a strap 7 The upper arms are bent at their inner ends to extend through holes in a flange 8, standing up from the cover, forming turning-points for Serial No. 118,942. (No model.)

the holders. The springs tend to turn the leaves to the left when the holders are released, as will be understood, and in Fig. 1 part of the holders are shown released and turned. It is to be noticed that all the holders are attached to one part of the coverthe right-hand part. v

To hold the holders and release them successively, a catch is employed, which is made of wire bent to form, essentially, guides 9, between which the lower arms 7 maybe inserted, and an escapementformed by oppositely-disposed fingers 9 and 9 which work across the guide-space to successively release the holders. The finger 9 is slightly above the opposite finger 9 so that when by means of the thumb-piece 9 the former is drawn back or snapped to release the foremost of the holders the latter enters as a detent above the remainder. The spring 94 returns the parts when the thumb-pressure is removed, causing the finger 9 to move back and release the holders, which are then caught by the finger 0, ready for the next escape.

The construction of this turner permits it to be folded upon the music sheets or book therein and carried about and used anywhere. It can be used on music-stands in band or orchestra Work, and the holders not only turn the leaves, but also hold them from being'blown over or away by wind.

Meansfor a foot-release are illustrated in Fig. 2, comprising a spring-pedal 10, adapted to be placed on the floor and connected to the thumb'piece 9 by a cord 10. By tapping the pedal with the foot the escapement will be worked.

What I claim as new is The combination with a folding cover, of several leaf holders and turners hinged to one side of the cover, each comprising a wire bent to form upper and lower arms and a loop, and cross-bars attached to the arms and extending between the same across the loop, one of the arms being coiled at the endto form a spring, and an escapement to successively release the holders.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. AARON MERCER.

Witnesses:

H. W. FREDERICK, LAURA. FREDERICK. 

